Extrusion International 1-2025

20 Extrusion International 1/2025 INDUSTRY NEWS Results of the 2024 Market Data Report Revealed European Bioplastics presented its 2024 edition of the market development update during the EBC24 taking place in Berlin, Germany. The report con rms the con - tinuous growth of the global production capacities of bioplastics. Overall global plastics production continues to rise steadily. This development is driven by rising demand combined with the emergence of ever more sophis- ticated applications and products. In line, the global bioplastics production capacity is set to increase signi - cantly from around 2.47 million tonnes in 2024 to ap- proximately 5.73 million tonnes in 2029, as the report shows. “The growth in bioplastics production capacity should be seen against the backdrop of increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact associated with the overall plastic consumption, underscoring not only the resilience but also the signi cance of our industry to contribute to sustainable solutions”, states Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of European Bioplastics (EUBP). Bioplastic alternatives exist for almost every conven- tional plastic material and corresponding application. Due to a strong development of biobased and biode- gradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), biobased polyethylene (PE) as well as a steady growth of biobased polypro- pylene (PP), the production capacities will continue to increase signi cantly within the next 5 years, according to the data. Bioplastics are used for an increasing variety of appli- cations, ranging from packaging and bres to consumer goods, automotive, and agricultural products. Packag- ing remains the largest market segment for bioplastics with 45 percent (1.12 million tonnes) of the total bio- plastics market in 2024. The comparison between the production capacities and actual production in 2024 shows that the bioplastics industry is producing at almost 60% capacity. Although varying in some parts quite signi cantly from one poly - mer to another, ranging from 35% to 100%, the average utilisation rate in 2024 is 58% (1.44 million tonnes pro- duction vs. 2.47 million tonnes production capacities). “A potential further approximation of actual pro- duction to existing production capacities largely depends on the specific interpretation of recent regulations – keyword PPWR – and other future Euro- pean legislation relating to the plastics market”, von Pogrell concludes. The market data update 2024 has been compiled in cooperation with the market experts of the nova-Insti- tute (Hürth, Germany). European Bioplastics (EUBP) www.european-bioplastics.org New Head Of ce Asia-Paci c in Bangkok Reifenhäuser has opened its new Head Of ce Asia-Paci c in Bangkok (Thailand). In future, all sales, ser- vice and after-market activities for the Southeast Asian region will be managed centrally from Bangkok. This will give customers direct ac- cess to Reifenhäuser's technology portfolio, the best possible on-site service and a faster supply of spare parts via a local warehouse and lo- gistics center. The Reifenhäuser Group has been active in South-East Asia for a long time – with several regional Sales & Service Units. The newly established Head Of ce expands and synchro - nizes the existing capacities. Marcel Perrevort, CSO of the Reifenhäuser Group, explains: “With the new establishment, we are focusing on the rapid mar- ket growth in this region. We are now close to our customers with a powerful organization. There is no substitute for a close geographical proximity when it comes to building long-term partnerships.” Reifenhäuser is thus following its global “Close to our customers” strategy in order to better under- stand and serve market require- ments. The investment in local support structures enables faster responses and better accessibility along the entire customer journey - from the sale of a line to commis- sioning, service and after-sales sup- port in day-to-day business. Reifenhäuser Group www.reifenhauser.com The Reifenhäuser team from the Head Of ce Asia-Paci c celebrated the opening of the new location in Bangkok on November 29 (Picture credit: Reifenhäuser)